Yesterday, I stopped by to drool around in the Bass Pro on the north side of Toronto. I was lounging around at the gun counter admiring the expensive binoculars when I became conscious of a complete Newbie at the counter getting advice from the fellow behind the counter. The Newbie wanted to get a good, all around hunting rifle for deer, Moose, and Black Bear, from what I could pick up. The fellow behind the counter recommended a 30-06. He mentioned some of the short Mags, etc, but said that the 30-06 would do the job just fine and in a pinch, could take any game in North America. He also told the fellow he could get ammo just about anywhere, whereas that may not always be the case for some of the newer fancy stuff. I just about passed out. I could hardly believe my ears. I had to hold on to the counter to steady myself as I took a look over at the fellow. He was actually talking sense. He was dadgummed right, of course, and it sure was refreshing to hear that there is still the occasional fellow behind the gun counter who still knows what a 30-06 can do.
Could hardly believe my ears
- Thread starter Win 38-55
- Start date
Lol at first I thought this was a serious rant and you were gunna ream the clerk out but upon finishing i realized that the only shock you got at the store was a shock of common sense and good advice.
Glad to hear their is someone there who can give it straight, last time i was there the experience was less than stellar.
Glad to hear their is someone there who can give it straight, last time i was there the experience was less than stellar.
Goes to show you what type of morons they have behind the counter these days. 30-06? Ok grandpa, why not a 30-30 or 45-70? Heck stuff it full of black powder and top it with a home cast bullet!
The animals that storm the fields and haunt the woods these days blow venomous snot from their nostrils and chew rocks to sharpen their teeth. The skin they sport is thicker than the snow caps on the mountains they live in! A 30-06 will bounce off of it. You need a .300 at least or maybe a .280 AI.
All tongue in cheek of course.
The animals that storm the fields and haunt the woods these days blow venomous snot from their nostrils and chew rocks to sharpen their teeth. The skin they sport is thicker than the snow caps on the mountains they live in! A 30-06 will bounce off of it. You need a .300 at least or maybe a .280 AI.
All tongue in cheek of course.
I think (I hope, anyways) that common sense will hit our shores once again, one day, but it seems it's slowly coming back... Writers and sellers seem getting more honest in their pitches and forget a bit about the multinational marketing thing... well, future will tell ...
On the contrary, you can say that about any caliber. Its not like there's a law against it or something.
Actually at least a half dozen of each would be best.
For three years I used a Ruger No. 1 ion 45-70 for flat lands (southern Alberta) deer hunting...filled my tags every year.
I am reminded of a time I was on the range working up loads for my 300 WSM (which I shoot just fine), when next to me a couple of newbies where trying to sight in a new 300WSM rig, a beautiful rifle, topped with a Swarovski scope. Obviously some big $$$ put into it. They were jabbering at each other about the target and fiddling with the scope after a couple shots. Finally, they came over to me and asked if I could help them out. I said sure, went over to where they were shooting and they said they were having a hard time getting the gun zeroed, just bought the gun, etc., (as in just from the store straight to the range!). One box of ammo was just about gone and there was one other box.
After a few questions, it was obvious they were green rookies and I was thinking it was too bad they ended up with this rig because they clearly had no idea of how to shoot. They were totally wrecking the break-in process too. They were adamant they were going to go hunting with that rifle. I didn't have a great deal of time so I gave them some pointers on shooting, and watched the results. I was awestruck! They couldn't hit the broad side, etc. They asked me to sight it in. I did, got it shooting decently, 3 inches high at 100M. They then shot it all over the place! Painful to watch. I suggested they get a more shootable rifle but all the money they had for the rifle and more couldn't buy them any common sense.
So, the moral is that it's good to see someone offer good advice on what to buy and likely set the customer off on a more successful path than the two above. Regardless, I don't think those two would have followed any advice on the matter and I feel sorry for the animals they would shoot... if they even get that far!
..... Or on the other hand, most 30/06 users are hunters instead of shooters and prefer not to tinker with endless lists of cartidges that offer almost nothing over the '06.
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Maybe it takes a shooter to tell the difference?
It seems like they need a pile of reasureance.
Doesn't take much for one or more gunnutz to speak about the merits of a 30-06. Most times it really is more gun then most will need. Exception might be a grizzley, but I'm sure it would work there too. If I was behind the counter seeling a newbe a new gun, I'd be a tad relucatant to advise something over a 308. If they are whitetail hunting, lighterh then a 308 will do fine, if it's dialed in. I often use a 243WSSM on whitetail and find it more then suitable. But if Elk, and Moose are in the mix, and it's anewbie... Then I might recommend at 30-06. What would be on my mind (if I was selling) is does the person have much experience shooting rifles period... If not, I would suggest lighter calibre, and smaller game. Then work up to the larger stuff. Successful hunting is about knowing one's equipment, knowing the tendencies of the animal being hunted, and having enough confidence to carry out the vital shot. Not that this thread is about getting started in shooting... But, I started as a youngster with a pellet gun, then 22, then 30-30, shotgun etc... As I gained more experience, and grew more confident, I went bigger and shooting successes increased along the way. And so did my vital shots over longer distances. For a lot of beginners, I think that stepping up to a 30-06 is a big step for many, and some guys fear the sound of the shot, and multiply the effect of felt recoil(in their minds), and have some difficulty making the adjustment. Shooting with a good set of ear protection is a way to get a shooter not to concentrate on the loud sound, but rather, the point of aim. Recoil can be over-come with practice...
